South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in marriage, housing tenure and work life.

The population passed quarter of a million

Between the last two censuses, the population of South Gloucestershire increased by 7.0%, from almost 246,000 to 263,000.

The addition of just over 17,000 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Gloucestershire was home to, on average, 3.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Gloucestershire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Gloucestershire increased by three years, from 37 to 40 years.

This affluent area had a lower average age than the South West and became slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 8,000 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 8,000.

About 16% of people in South Gloucestershire are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and South Gloucestershire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

South Gloucestershire saw the South West's largest fall in the proportion of married people.

In 2011, just over one in two (52%) people aged 16 and over in South Gloucestershire said they were married, compared with 58% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 26% to 30%.

Across the region, Isles of Scilly saw the next largest decrease in the proportion of married people (from 59% in 2001 to 54% in 2011).

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

Every local authority area across the South West saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 53% to 49%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

More single parents

South Gloucestershire saw the South West's largest rise in the proportion of single-parent households.

In 2011, just over 1 in 11 (9.4%) households in South Gloucestershire had a single parent, compared with 7.5% in 2001. The percentage with a married couple decreased from 45% to 39%.

Across the region, Wiltshire saw the next largest increase in the proportion of single-parent households (from 7.3% in 2001 to 9.0% in 2011).

During this period, South Gloucestershire overtook 10 local authority areas, including North Devon and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, to become the South West local authority area with the seventh-highest percentage of single-parent households.

The percentage of households with a single-parent was higher than across the South West

Percentage of households that had a single parent across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in South Gloucestershire

The percentage of South Gloucestershire residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.5% to 3.2% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The proportion who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.3%, while the percentage of South Gloucestershire residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 3.0% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in South Gloucestershire that rented privately increased from 6.3% to 14% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 9.8%, while the percentage of South Gloucestershire households that owned their home decreased from 82% to 75%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of the South West (from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in South Gloucestershire increased by 7.3 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Gloucestershire, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links